

Treating Anxiety after StroKe


A research study of telephone & web-supported treatments for anxiety after stroke
(TASK study)
Participant Information and Recruitment Please note this study stopped recruiting on 6/4/18
***NEW! Results of the TASK study is now published***Click on the 'Results' tab (added on 29/9/20)
Chief Investigator's Email: yvonne.chun@ed.ac.uk
Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Chancellor's Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB
Do I have to take part? No
What will happen if I take part?
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You will get allocated to one of the two web-based anxiety treatments for the first 6 weeks
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We will guide you over the telephone
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After 6 weeks we would like you to continue using the website regularly for another 10 weeks
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At around 20 weeks we will email you a simple final follow-up survey
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If you wish to, you can have access to the website given the other group for another 10 weeks (optional)
What are the web-based treatments?
The TASK web-based treatments include the following:
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Learning ways to overcome your anxiety after stroke/ 'mini-stroke'
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Relaxation techniques
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A simple online task each week
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Therapeutic videos
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Text reminders and participant diary card
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Links to useful stroke resources and websites
Do these treatments work?
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Similar treatments work in people without a stroke
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We want to know if they also work for people after stroke and TIA
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We hope you will find them helpful
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Your participation helps improve future treatments for other people
Are there any risks to taking part?
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Some people may find it stressful to think about things that worry them
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We hope this will settle with our treatments over time
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Contact us if you need to speak to someone about this
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Occasionally, we may have to inform the participant's GP to arrange treatment if the anxiety or depression is severe
What data do you collect?
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Your contact details and some background information about you
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Your answers to our online surveys on anxiety, mood, & quality of life
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There are three surveys: (1) at the start of the study (2) at midpoint, and (3) at final follow-up at 20 weeks
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You will receive an email and text reminder for each survey
How important is it that I complete these online surveys?
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Very important
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Your answers are the only way for us to draw meaningful conclusions about these treatments
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Without your data (your answers) we will not be able to improve future treatments for other patients
How will you keep my personal information confidential?
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We do not share your personal details with anyone outside the TASK research team
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All your personal data are stored securely at the University of Edinburgh (click here for technical information)
Will you inform my GP?
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We will write to your GP to let him/her know you are taking part in the TASK study
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We may contact your GP to confirm your diagnosis of stroke/TIA
(only if we are unable to confirm it using hospital records)
What happens to audio-recording of my telephone session?
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We use a digital recorder to record our telephone session
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This is so that we can monitor the quality of the telephone guidance
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We transcribe anonymously the audio-recording into a written format
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Transcripts do not contain any personal details
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Any audio-recording is immediately erased after transcription
Has this study been reviewed by a research ethics committee?
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The South East Scotland Research Ethics Committee has reviewed this study and given a favourable opinion (17/SS/0143)

Invitation to wear an 'activity monitor' (optional) during the TASK study
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We invite you to consider wearing our 'activity monitor' on your wrist during the TASK study
The monitor measures movement, sleep, light & temperature
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We can give you a report on your activity and sleep at the end of the TASK study
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No personal details are stored on the device
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Wear it for as long as you can, and as continuously as you can
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You can remove it for shower, bath or whenever you feel you need to
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Very rarely people can get skin irritation wearing a device like this
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If this happens, remove it immediately and contact the TASK research team
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We will arrange postal delivery and collection of the 'activity monitor'
Contact the TASK research team if you wish to find out more about any aspects of the TASK study
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Contact details of the TASK research team
How to sign up to the TASK study?
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Please complete our secure online 'Sign up & consent form'
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The TASK research team will contact you by telephone to confirm your eligibility and details within 5 working days
Can I change my mind after signing the consent form?
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Yes
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Taking part in the TASK study is entirely voluntary
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You can withdraw from the study any time, without giving any reason
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We would encourage you to complete our online surveys even if you haven't received the TASK treatments
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Withdrawing from the TASK study will not affect the standards of treatment you receive from the National Health Service
Concerns or complaints about the TASK study?
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Please contact members of the TASK research team, we will try to resolve your concerns
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If you want to contact someone who is independent and not part of the TASK research team you can contact: Dr Fergus Doubal (Consultant stroke doctor) fergus.doubal@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk (Tel: 0131 465 9602)
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Or contact Patient Experience Team, NHS Lothian, 2nd Floor, Waverly Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG (Tel: 0131 536 3370)